AATCC Honors Leaders in Textile Science and Service with 2025 Olney Medal and Harold C. Chapin Award

 

AATCC Honors Leaders in Textile Science and Service with 2025 Olney Medal and Harold C. Chapin Award

Durham, N.C., September 19, 2025 — The American Association of Textile Chemists & Colorists (AATCC) has once again placed the spotlight on two extraordinary individuals whose work has shaped the present — and will define the future — of the global textile industry. With the announcement of the 2025 Olney Medal and the 2025 Harold C. Chapin Award, AATCC celebrates not just scientific breakthroughs and technical mastery, but also the dedication, leadership, and vision that keep the textile community strong.

This year’s honorees are Dr. Karen K. Leonas, recipient of the Olney Medal, and Barry P. Brady, recipient of the Harold C. Chapin Award. Their achievements capture the dual mission of AATCC: advancing textile science through innovation and sustaining professional excellence through service.

 

The Olney Medal: Science with Purpose

The Olney Medal is the highest scientific honor awarded by AATCC. Established in 1944 in memory of Louis Atwell Olney, the founder and first president of AATCC, it recognizes exceptional contributions to textile or polymer chemistry. Over the decades, the medal has been awarded to pioneers whose work revolutionized dyeing, finishing, fiber modification, and performance materials.

In 2025, the honor goes to Dr. Karen K. Leonas, professor in the Department of Textile and Apparel, Technology and Management at North Carolina State University.

Dr. Leonas’s work is both cutting-edge and timely. At a moment when the global textile industry is under intense scrutiny for its environmental footprint, her research points the way forward:

• Sustainable solutions across the textile supply chain, from recycling to closed-loop manufacturing.
• Circular economy strategies and life-cycle analysis, providing pathways for brands and manufacturers to reduce waste and meet climate goals.
• Durability and weathering studies of polymeric materials, ensuring that products last longer and reduce the burden on landfills.
• Protective apparel innovations, with specialized research on small particle and liquid penetration — vital for healthcare, defense, and industrial safety.
• Surface and chemical modifications of fibers and polymers, opening doors to performance enhancements that make textiles more adaptable to human needs.

For nearly five decades, Dr. Leonas has been not just a researcher, but also a mentor, teacher, and thought leader. She has published widely, presented at global conferences, and guided generations of students into the textile field. Since joining AATCC in 1978, she has been deeply involved in committees, education initiatives, and member activities — proving that her influence goes far beyond the laboratory.

At the Fabricating the Future: AATCC & SEAMS Annual Conference in Savannah, Georgia (October 6-8, 2025), Dr. Leonas will deliver the Olney Medal Address, titled “Textile Chemistry: What a Wonderful World.” It promises to be both a technical lecture and a reflection on how science can improve lives.

 

The Harold C. Chapin Award: Service that Endures

While the Olney Medal celebrates groundbreaking research, the Harold C. Chapin Award honors a different, but equally vital, form of excellence: long-term service to AATCC. Established in 1958, it recognizes members who have given at least 20 years of continuous dedication. It is named for Harold C. Chapin, a professor of chemistry at Lowell Textile School and national secretary of AATCC for nearly 25 years, whose quiet but powerful leadership set the standard for professional service.

The 2025 Chapin Award goes to Barry P. Brady, a member of AATCC since 1979. His contributions read like a blueprint for what it means to build and sustain a professional community:

• Treasurer of AATCC and AATCC Foundation, providing financial leadership that ensures both organizations remain stable and forward-looking.
• Chair of the Committee on Conferences, overseeing the planning and delivery of events that bring together industry leaders, academics, and young professionals.
• Member of critical administrative committees, including employee benefits, building and grounds, and appropriations — the backbone of organizational governance.
• Former Chair of the Yarn Dyeing Technology Research Committee (1993-2008), where he organized symposia on yarn and jet dyeing, pushing the boundaries of dyeing technology.
• Mentor and advocate for the next generation, judging student competitions, evaluating scholarships, and encouraging young members to become active in AATCC.

Brady’s recognition underscores a truth often overlooked: scientific associations thrive not only on innovation, but also on the dedication of individuals who volunteer their time and expertise to keep the community connected, informed, and strong.

 

More Than Awards: A Vision for the Future

The dual recognition of Dr. Leonas and Mr. Brady tells a larger story about where the textile industry is headed.

• On one hand, sustainability and innovation are no longer optional; they are essential for survival. Researchers like Dr. Leonas are lighting the way toward a textile ecosystem that balances performance, safety, and responsibility to the planet.
• On the other hand, community and service remain the glue that holds professional organizations together. Leaders like Barry Brady ensure that AATCC continues to offer a platform for knowledge-sharing, networking, and standards development.

Together, the awards send a clear message: the textile industry’s future will be built by those who can innovate with purpose and serve with commitment.

 

Looking Toward Savannah

The excitement will culminate in October at the Fabricating the Future: AATCC & SEAMS Annual Conference in Savannah, Georgia. There, members from around the world will gather to share research, explore trends, and celebrate the honorees.

Dr. Leonas’s Olney Medal Address on October 6 will likely be a highlight of the event, offering insights into how chemistry not only shapes fabrics but also contributes to a more sustainable and equitable world. The presentation of the Chapin Award to Barry Brady will be a reminder that the health of professional communities depends on leaders who give generously of their time and vision.

 

Honoring the Past, Inspiring the Future

The Olney Medal and Chapin Award have always been about more than recognition. They are milestones that connect the past, present, and future of textiles. From Louis Atwell Olney’s pioneering days to today’s urgent call for sustainable innovation, the awards reflect the evolving challenges and triumphs of the industry.

In 2025, as AATCC honors Dr. Karen Leonas and Barry Brady, it also honors the ideals they represent: science in service of humanity, and service in support of science.

 

✨ AATCC celebrates leaders who remind us that textiles are not just about fabrics and fibers — they are about people, progress, and possibility. ✨